While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the excellent product selection, competitive pricing, and high quality of items. Many people highlight the prompt and secure delivery service, often noting that products arrive well-packaged and in excellent condition. The service is frequently described as first-class, with staff being helpful and communicative, making the purchasing experience pleasant. However, some customers also noted issues with product descriptions not fully detailing cosmetic damage or fret wear on pre-owned guitars. A few other people also felt that some guitars required significant setup adjustments upon arrival, and in one instance, a customer reported a problem with a truss rod that they believed should have been checked prior to trade.

What people talk about most

Product

Customers consistently note positive experiences with product quality and delivery. Many reviewers praise the... See more

Delivery service

Reviewers mention positive feedback about delivery service. Customers consistently praise the fast and prompt... See more

Quality

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of quality. Many customers received products in great condition, with... See more

Price

Clients share positive opinions on price, consistently highlighting great and reasonable prices, with many... See more

Service

People report positive experiences with service. Customers consistently praise the helpful staff, excellent... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Bought a beautiful guitar, which was promptly delivered and nicely packed. I'm also selling two of my guitars through the shop. The offer was fairly priced and the process easy and smooth. Communi... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Bought a guitar from the website for my son's birthday, I had not noticed that it had tiny chip on it when looking at the pictures. I received an email advising me that it had a tiny chip on it along... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have purchased several guitars from Sound Affects and part-exchanged guitars in the process. Paul and the staff have been outstanding and what I like is that they allow you to take your time and exp... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing place to shop or get a guitar repaired. I brought in a Taylor acoustic with a manufacturing defect and a brand new, perfectly set up guitar was waiting at the shop in a matter of weeks.... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Musical Instrument Store

Written by the company

One of the UK’s leading specialist dealers in high-end, rare and boutique electric and acoustic guitar brands and gear. In early 2014, we moved to our premier showroom in Ormskirk which has become well-known for its themed room layout, which also allows for demoing products in your own space, even when the shop is going through a busy spell. When you visit us, browse at your leisure through our themed rooms. Our ‘Main Room’, complete with Chesterfield couch, wall-to-wall, houses our most boutique and rare guitars from some of the world’s most revered and respected builders. The room and it’s stock changes each day, so paying us a visit just to see what’s new is well worth it – It’s never the same twice!


Contact info

4.9

Excellent

TrustScore 5 out of 5

3K reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 24 hours

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Advertisement
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Used Fender Custom Shop "Custom 54"…

Used Fender Custom Shop "Custom 54" Strat pickups:
Shipped quickly but packaging was dreadful. P'up covers came off in transit, jammed against the coils. Mounting screws and spring assemblies were missing. Clearly no one checked.
Requested screws and were shipped the following day, but am yet to visit a local retailer to check potential coil damage on a meter.

March 3, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Many apologies for the inconvenience here Terry.
The pickups were sent in their original Fender packaging. We didn't realise they would have come loose during transit.
Happy to hear we were able to ship the missing screws out to you quickly.

Let me know if you need any further assistance.

Regards
Paul at Sound Affects

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thanks for your excellent customer service

I ordered a guitar which arrived on time and intact.Everything was as described on the website.This guitar was in excellent condition and looks and plays great,sound affects also provided a lovely gig bag which I did not expect.Thanks for your excellent customer service.

March 1, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Much appreciated David

Advertisement
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Guitar Set Up and advice.

Rob looked after my Taylor 812ce which needed a full set up with new strings and some work on the nut, bridge and some truss rod adjustment. The guitar came back playing like a dream, in tune all the way up the neck and with a lovely low action. It was clean as a whistle too.

Rob explained to me what he'd done and really knows his stuff. I'm going to be trusting him with my other guitars from this point forward.

I couldn't recommend Rob (and the guys at the shop who were also great) enough.

February 20, 2025
Unprompted review
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Much appreciated Terry.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service

Great price and kept me informed all the way through to delivery.
Replied emails promptly.

February 12, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Thanks again for leaving feedback.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service!!!

After debating buy before you try with a Guild 12 string which could be fraught with danger as I live across the other side of the country I went ahead. It was pre owned and expected some marks or evidence of being loved. The pictures looked really good ( almost too good) . The guitar arrived two days later well packaged. It’s like new. Plays like butter lovely gig bag excellent all round. I know people who have been to the shop and cannot speak highly enough so that went someways to me being comfortable buying from them. Excellent guitar excellent service. Thank you so much!!

February 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Much appreciated.

Advertisement
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Full marks and first class service.

I was a bit hesitant in sending my guitar a long way to sell it, but Paul explained the process. He gave me every confidence and after receiving the box, I packed it up and sent it to him. After less than 2 weeks it was sold and then 14 days later the money transferred to my account. First rate service and totally pleased with the result. Highly recommended.

February 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Much appreciated Stephen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very positive pedal collection sale experience

I contacted Sound Affects about selling quite a few pedals to them. Paul, who helped me, got back to any emails I sent quickly, made the whole process easy from start to finish and arranged the agreed payment quickly on receipt of the pedals. I would happily recommend Sound Affects without a second thought.

February 4, 2025
Unprompted review
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Much appreciated George.

Advertisement
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I bought a guitar for £300 which was…

I bought a guitar for £300 which was extremely lucky to have survived the delivery. It was packaged with around 8 different types of scrap plastic inside a flimsy box that had clearly been used many times, no care given guitar was filthy and so out of tune. It was clear no care was given its out me off buying anything more expensive from them.

January 27, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Hello Andrew,
I am sorry to hear that you are not entirely satisfied with your order.
We do where possible try to re-use/recycle packaging.
We detune guitars to relieve tension when shipping.
Our guitars are displayed and maintained in our showroom.
If your guitar arrived dirty we apologies. This must have been missed whilst shipping out.

If you would prefer a refund we can arrange collection of the guitar.
I will email you also

Regards
Paul at Sound Affects

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Small things are important too

This was my first purchase and I bought two small items because they were original manufacturers equipment. They arrived quickly but a small screw was missing on one of them.
A quick phone call to Sound Affects and this was dealt with promptly and without fuss. The screw was posted and I received it the next day. Brilliant customer service.

January 13, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Chris.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This plastic RICKENBACKER pickup cover

This plastic RICKENBACKER pickup cover, paid 60.30 EUR + 42.38 EUR import tax, is totally poorly manufactured and impossible to mount on the bass guitar. I'm not even sure it's an original part, it's so poorly manufactured and delivered without any packaging or reference. This "thing" must cost 50 cents to manufacture. A scandal! I am writing to the company and waiting for their reaction!

Ce pickup cover RICKENBACKER en plastique, payé 60,30 EUR + 42,38 EUR de taxe d'importation, est totalement mal fabriqué et impossible à monter sur la guitare basse. Je ne suis même pas certain qu'il sagisse d'une pièce d'origine tellement c'est mal fabriqué et livré sans aucun emballage ni référence. Ce "machin" doit coûter 50 cent en fabrication. Un scandale ! J'écris à la firme et j'attends sa réaction !

January 7, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Hello Patrick
I am sorry to hear you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase.
Sounds like your issue is with Rickenbacker not with our store.
We offer a 14 day no hassle return policy so you could return the item if you decided to.
We are an authorised Rickenbacker dealer and all the parts we sell are genuine. The pickup cover/handrest on a 4003 bass in indeed made of plastic. If you have a genuine Rickenbacker you should have no problem installing it. Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance though.

Regards
Paul at Sound Affects Guitar Store

Advertisement
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Superb guitar shop

Superb guitar shop. Professional, very competitive prices with quality guitars. Will be my first choice in the future whenever need another guitar. Thank you 🤟🙏

January 6, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Mucha appreciated Tom.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

great service

had exactly what i needed, at the most reasonable price i’d seen anywhere, speedy transparent delivery with no worry’s of tracking or guessing when the package would arrive, top quality 5*

January 11, 2025
Sound Affects logo

Reply from Sound Affects

Thanks for the feedback!

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.

Learn more about other kinds of reviews.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look